Recess silly season begins

House Democrats kicked off the six-week stretch until the Nov. 6 election with a futile push during Tuesday’s pro forma session to act on the impending fiscal cliff, reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and the farm bill.

“The American people deserve answers, and they deserve action,” Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) said on the House floor, addressing Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio), who presided over the brief session. “They deserve more than simply a pro forma session … Democrats are committed to returning to Washington.”

Democrats have made inaction on critical issues such as the fiscal cliff and the nation’s agriculture policy a theme as lawmakers fled Washington for the final weeks of campaigning. Late last week, House Democratic leadership wrote to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), urging him to call off recess.

And on Monday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter telling their members to convey the message that the “Republican record of inaction for the middle class is the wrong direction for America” as they campaign back home.

Kevin Smith, a Boehner spokesman, replied to Tuesday’s episode: "While the president and Senate Democrats have done nothing, Republicans have passed legislation to stop all the looming tax hikes that will cost 700,000 jobs and replace the president's sequester that threatens our troops.

“If House Democrats are so desperate to work on these issues, they should call the president and Senate Democrats and ask them to get their act together,” Smith added.